Even though the couple had stopped making purchases using the cards, the debit balance kept increasing in the subsequent months, prompting Sur to ask for proof of his taking any loan from the bank. He also returned the credit card to the bank in January 2006 after tearing it apart.

The bank then sent him a lawyer’s notice, demanding immediate payment of the dues. This prompted Sur to take the help of the Calcutta District Consumer Forum II. He approached the court alleging that the bank could not produce any evidence of providing him a loan and yet was threatening him to “repay the dues”.

The forum slapped compensation of Rs 1 lakh on ICICI Bank. The bank then moved the state commission against the order, denying the allegations of Sur.

“The allegations of the complainant were without any basis, since he had failed to adduce satisfactory evidence in support of his contention,” the bank told the commission.

But the state panel dismissed the bank’s plea and asked it to pay a compensation of Rs 30,000 to Sur.

“We are yet to get the certified copy of the order. Once we receive it, the course of action will be planned,” said a bank official.